COMMISSION SETS 2007 EARLY MIGRATORY BIRD SEASONS

Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area game tag use, Fort Riley deer seasons, cabin fees also approved in public hearing
The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission approved 2007 early migratory bird seasons at their June 21 public hearing in Salina. Approved seasons include the following:
• Rail (Sora and Virginia) – Sept. 1 through Nov. 9, bag and possession limits of 25 and 25, respectively;
• Snipe – Sept. 1 through Dec. 16, bag and possession limits of 8 and 16, respectively;
• Woodcock – Oct. 13 through Nov. 26, bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
• Teal (High Plains Zone) – Sept. 15 - 23 OR Sept. 8 – 23 OR Sept. 15 – 22, bag and possession limits of 4 and 8, respectively (final season dates subject to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service frameworks approved later this summer).
• Teal (Low Plains Zone) – Sept. 15 – 23 OR Sept. 8 – 23, bag and possession limits of 4 and 8, respectively (final season dates subject to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service frameworks approved later this summer).
Dove season is now set in a separate regulation – KAR 115-25-19 – which establishes a two-segment season, the first beginning Sept. 1 and running for 44 days, and the second opening Nov. 1 and running for 16 days. Unless amended by the commission, the dove season each year is Sept. 1 through Oct. 14 and Nov. 1 through Nov. 16.
The Commission also approved regulations allowing use of whitetail antlerless deer game tags on Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area, to address high deer populations there. Deer game tags are otherwise restricted, as in the past, to private lands (with permission of landowners) or Walk-In Hunting Areas. An amendment also was approved allowing the department to issue a limited number of antlerless-only deer permits in firearm deer management unit 3. These permits, which allow the take of an antlerless whitetail or mule deer, will be issued on a first-come first-served basis to individuals who already possess an antlered deer permit. The same regulation (KAR 115-25-9a) establishes firearms deer seasons on Fort Riley: Nov. 23 – 25, Dec. 19 – 23, and Dec. 27 – 30. In other action, the Commission established fees for new cabin facilities at Eisenhower and Tuttle Creek state parks, as well as Mined Land and Ottawa wildlife areas. The department operates a total of 48 cabins at 12 of the 24 state parks, and fees are set in regulation for each cabin. Two new yurts have been erected at Eisenhower State Park, and fees for yurt rental are set at $36 per night. Three new, larger cabins are coming on line at Tuttle Creek State Park this year, and fees for those cabins are set at $65 per night Sunday through Thursday ($85 Friday and Saturday) Oct. 1 through March 31, and $75 per night Sunday through Thursday ($95 Friday and Saturday) April 1 through Sept. 30. Two wildlife areas – Mined Land and Ottawa – will acquire one cabin each later this year, and fees for them will be $60 per night or $420 per week.